Shrubbery-shell inspired 3D model stylization

Abstract

We propose a new method to automatically generate a shrub-branch-style shell (also called a hollow-branch sculpture) decorative pattern for an arbitrary 3D model along its surface curvature. Our method generates the branching pattern by using a particle-based model without requiring any basic tree-shape elements to be extracted from existing 2D images or 3D models. We modify the particle method by constraining the direction vectors for particle motion onto a given mesh surface so the branch structure grows along the surface to form a shell of the input object. The global and local branch shapes are changed by adjusting the growth space and growth factors, providing better controllability and diversity of the resulting patterns. In addition, the growth space for the branching pattern can be interactively assigned by a user's brush to an arbitrary area of the mesh surface where the trajectory of the brush stroke is reflected in the branch-growth directions. The following control options are also considered: merging multiple branch clusters having different root locations, biasing the generation of strong main branches, and creating a windowed growth space for thin shapes. The versatility and effectiveness of our approach are demonstrated by generating various arborsculpture-inspired shapes. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.